Samsung, LG Set to Gain From Apple’s First Foldable iPhone

Seoul Economic Daily : ■ Korean Panels, Cameras and Substrates Ride the Tailwind Samsung Display Panel Prices 20% Above Galaxy Fold Levels LG Innotek Leads Camera Module Supply Both Companies’ Revenue Seen Growing 9-18% This Year Korean MLCCs and DRAM Also Gain New Outlets

Expectations are growing that Samsung, LG and other major Korean companies will be the main beneficiaries of Apple’s first foldable phone, which goes on sale on the 9th. Even with the smartphone market contracting this year, Korean suppliers are leading the supply of core foldable iPhone components, from memory chips to displays, cameras and semiconductor substrates.

Samsung Display’s and LG Innotek’s (011070) smartphone component businesses are expected to grow about 10% from last year, according to industry sources on the 6th. Brokerages project Samsung Display’s revenue at 32.5 trillion won, up 8.7% from a year earlier, and revenue at LG Innotek’s optical solutions division, which makes camera modules, at 21.544 trillion won, up 17.6%.

The gains come even as research firm IDC forecasts global smartphone shipments will fall 16.7% this year from 2024. Analysts attribute the growth to supply of high-margin components for Samsung Electronics’ (005930) Galaxy Z8 series in the first half, followed by foldable iPhone parts starting in the third quarter.